“Branford Steam Geep Over Branford River”
On May 16th, 2025, Branford Steam Railroad (Tilcon Connecticut)'s "Road Crew", with leased GMTX EMD GP38-2 2198 leading, crosses Branford River as it shuttles a cut of loaded stone hoppers from the Totoket Mountain Quarry to Pine Orchard Yard.
Founded in 1903, the Branford Steam Railroad is a short but vital 7.2 mile standard gauge industrial line owned by Tilcon Connecticut, operating between North Branford and Pine Orchard, Connecticut. Originally built to transport visitors to a trotting park, the railroad shifted entirely to freight by around 1916, carrying trap rock from the Totoket Mountain Quarry for Tilcon’s stone operations. Although its last steam locomotive was retired in 1960, the “Steam” name endures as a nod to its origins and to distinguish it from the nearby Branford Electric Railway. Today, the railroad provides outbound stone shipments via barge at Pine Orchard Dock and by rail through interchanges with the Providence & Worcester Railroad and, on occasion, Amtrak.
